El Pípila
El Pípila is the nickname of a local hero from Guanajuato, Mexico. His real name was Juan José de los Reyes Martínez Amaro (1782–1863). He was the son of Pedro Martínez and María Rufina Amaro. He married Maria Victoriana Bretadillo and they had three children: Manuela, Doroteo, and Francisca. The nickname El Pípila might come from his freckled face (like a turkey egg) or from the way his laughter sounded.
He was a miner who came from San Miguel (now San Miguel de Allende) and worked in the Mellado mine. Guanajuato and its mines were among the first in the area, and the state was a major silver producer in the 18th century.
El Pípila became famous for a bold act at the start of the Mexican War of Independence on September 28, 1810. The rebellion began in Dolores, and the insurgents moved to Guanajuato, where the Spanish had barricaded themselves in the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, a grain warehouse with high walls. The door was weak. Pípila carried a long flat stone on his back to protect himself from muskets, brought tar and a torch, and set the door on fire. The insurgents then entered and defeated the Spanish soldiers and many refugees. Some versions say he acted alone; others say he had helpers.
Today a stone monument shows a muscular man holding a flaming torch. It is known as the torch of liberty. Visitors can take a funicular to the top or climb the stairs for a view of the city. The monument is on Cerro de San Miguel, Guanajuato, Mexico.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 05:42 (CET).